The Artist dominates Critics’ Choice Awards as Oscar buzz grows

George Clooney,
Viola Davis and The Artist were the big winners at last night’s Critics’ Choice Awards.

The cast and crew of The Artist celebrate their four wins (Picture: AP)

Clooney was named best actor for his role in The Descendants while Viola Davis won the best actress gong for her performance in The Help.

French silent movie, The Artist, walked home with the most awards – four in total including best picture, best score, costume design and director.

Director Michel Hazanavicius joked: ‘I made a silent movie. I don’t like to speak so much.’

The movie is emerging as frontrunner in the Oscars race and is hotly tipped to pick up a slew of nominations at this year’s Academy Awards.

The Help, an adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel, won three awards – along with Viola Davis’ win for best actress, Octavia Spencer was named best supporting actress and the film’s cast scooped best acting ensemble.

A teary Davis said she always hoped to ‘make a mark somehow’.

Stacy Keibler and boyfriend George Clooney (Picture: Getty)

She added: ‘I absolutely knew I wanted to be an actor because I wanted to be somebody.’

Christopher Plummer won best supporting actor for Beginners while Thomas Horn was named best young actor for his role in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 picked up best make-up and best sound while The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo won best editing.

Other winners were Bridesmaids, which scooped best comedy movie, Drive named best action movie and Rango voted best animated feature.

Midnight in Paris won best original screenplay while Moneyball took home best adapted screenplay.

Martin Scorsese and Sean Penn were were awarded special honorary gongs at the event which was hosted by Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel.